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Woman begs judge to put her in prison
A HOMELESS woman who assaulted a police officer has appeared in court and pleaded with the judge to remand her in custody.
Amanda Turner pushed a police officer in the chest at Eastbourne DGH on June 24.
The court heard 31-year-old Turner had been treated at the hospital following a drug overdose and subsequently discharged.
She refused to leave the hospital grounds and was causing a problem for patients and visitors.
Police were called and Turner told the officers she had nowhere to go and wanted to go back to prison following her release from custody on June 19.
Officers explained they had no reason to arrest her so she pulled out a can of lighter fuel and said, 'I am going to blow up the hospital'.
The police officer went to get the can from Turner and she pushed him in the chest.
Turner was Captor sprayed and taken into custody.
The can of lighter fuel, which had been bought from the garage opposite the hospital, was found to be empty as Turner had sniffed the substance to get high.
She appeared at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday (June 26) and pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer.
The court heard Turner was on a methadone programme and regularly self-harmed.
Andrew Whelpton, defending, said, "She says she felt intimidated by the officers and denies threatening to blow up the hospital.
"From what she tells me it is a cry for help because she was released from prison about a week ago with nowhere to go.
"She does have problems with drug misuse and has informed me she would like to deal with her drug habit outside Eastbourne and Hastings so she can have a fresh start."
However, Mr Whelpton explained this was not a practical solution to her problem because she currently collects her methadone from Eastbourne.
Probation explained there was nothing they could do for the defendant.
Turner told the court, "This is a farce and I will keep committing crimes until you put me away.
"I am not safe in Eastbourne and that is that. At least I will get rehabilitation in jail."
She kicked the side of the dock and was sent back down to the cells.
Turner was remanded in custody for the preparation of a psychiatric report and will reappear at Hastings Magistrates Court on July 16.
District judge Roger Ede said, "It is slightly worrying that she has got her own way through her bad behaviour but she has said she will reoffend and I see no other option."
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 26 May 2012
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